Yang Hansen cried, but think about Yao Ming!

Since Yang Hansen started playing in the NBA for the Trail Blazers, alongside the surprises, many concerns about him have been raised by fans and media alike.

But if you are a veteran fan, you will realize:

The problems Yang Hansen faces now in the NBA—like inadequate physical confrontation, limited stamina, defensive struggles, too many fouls, language difficulties, and tactical role changes—were all challenges Yao Ming went through at the beginning of his NBA career.

It’s hard to believe that was already 23 years ago.

Yesterday, after watching the game between young Yang and the Jazz, I ate takeout while watching a documentary:

“The Year of the Yao.”

This nearly 90-minute film was released in 2005. I remember vividly the first time I watched it was in an internet café...

It chronicles Yao Ming’s rookie season with the Houston Rockets after being the number one NBA draft pick in 2002, covering his journey from doubt and adjustment to breakout success.

There are many classic scenes, such as:

1. Charles Barkley once mocked Yao Ming, saying he couldn’t score 19 points in a game, and after losing the bet, publicly kissed a donkey’s rear end.

2. The Yao Shark showdown.

3. Yao Ming’s first home game in the NBA, where the Compaq Center invited an internationally recognized Chinese singer to perform pre-game, ultimately choosing CoCo Lee, who was born in Hong Kong and raised in San Francisco.

4. At the All-Star game, Kobe Bryant encouraged Yao Ming to relax and voluntarily gave him a massage to help him loosen up.

5. The key role played by translator Colin Pang during Yao Ming’s adaptation to the NBA.

6. Yao Ming being faked out by Stephon Marbury.

...

Now in 2025, revisiting “The Year of the Yao,” beyond the inevitable nostalgia and changes, a deeper feeling emerges:In that era, Yao Ming symbolized a more open China.

With humility, humor, and resilience, he broke cultural barriers, allowing the American public a more direct understanding of China, and inspired Chinese people’s enthusiasm for the NBA and basketball culture.

He was truly a pioneer and a bridge promoting cultural exchange and mutual understanding.

No need for grand words here.

What I want to express most today is:Yang Hansen’s current challenges closely mirror the difficulties Yao Ming faced back then.

Although times have changed and the NBA’s style of play has evolved dramatically.

However, the structural obstacles caused by differences between Chinese and American basketball environments remain the same—after all, both came from the CBA...

In other words, Yang Hansen can learn a lot from Yao Ming’s experience.

After shedding tears and going through such emotional moments, he really needs to watch “The Year of the Yao” again.

What lessons can be drawn from it?

For example, Yao Ming recently mentioned how Chinese players should integrate into the NBA.

Yao’s core belief is:“Whether at home or abroad, language is only superficial; taking every task seriously is the key to gaining trust.”

For instance, actively participating in team activities.

By playing games, chatting, and other ways to blend into the group, language isn’t the barrier—actions and attitude matter most.

Yao Ming’s success in the NBA wasn’t just because of his skills; his ability to connect with American players was outstanding and something many Chinese players lack.

Besides his own hard work, it must be said that Yao Ming met a “benefactor” back then: Francis.

In Yao’s first week in Houston, the Rockets held a charity golf event, and Francis was willing to drive him around. Keep in mind, Yao hadn’t played an NBA game or even attended training yet.

Francis stood up for him on the court and guided him during practice, but more importantly, helped Yao integrate into American life.

Yao has always been very grateful for this.

At his jersey retirement ceremony in 2017, he insisted on inviting Francis, despite Francis having a troubled past.

Francis even took leave from prison to appear in Houston, and Yao repaid that kindness through this gesture...

From another perspective:

For Chinese players to establish themselves in the NBA, whether Yao Ming or Yang Hansen, many trials must be endured, and these challenges go beyond basketball.

With the new season about to start, I hope Yang Hansen is prepared both physically and mentally, and that he also finds a “benefactor” with the Trail Blazers.

Even more, I hope he can enjoy a better basketball media environment then.

Starting off poorly is perfectly normal.

What level was Yao Ming in the CBA? He dominated effortlessly.

But in his Rockets debut, he had 2 rebounds, 2 turnovers, and 3 fouls.

The game where he fulfilled Barkley’s “kiss the donkey’s rear” bet was his8th regular-season game in the NBA...

What else can Yang Hansen learn from Yao Ming?

Yao Ming’s dedication and hard work were legendary in the NBA...